Beware of the Warthog Mentality

Daily Devotional – Monday, November 11, 2024
I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things…
2 Peter 1:12 (NKJV)

The warthog has in recent days become an internet sensation due to its hilarious acceleration when in peril. Yet this animal has another interesting trait: forgetfulness. Shortly after fleeing danger, it can stop running, hence placing itself at risk of death.

I Will Always Remind You

We will call that trait the ‘warthog mentality’. Interestingly, human beings also bear a similar attribute. The Apostle Peter appeared to address this mentality when he wrote his second epistle. Here is an excerpt:

“For this reason, I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things… Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you… Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” 2 Peter 1:12-15.

Beware of the Warthog Mentality

Peter is referring to the critical need for gradual growth in faith (Read verses 5-11). He affirms that he will keep sending reminders of spiritual growth to believers when he is alive and even after his death. That could explain why he wrote the two epistles we are reading millennia after his death.

Let us not be like a spiritual warthog that has “forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (Verse 9). Always remember that Jesus expects you to bear fruit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to rule over our minds and affections, we will experience gradual character transformation. Indeed, there can be no such thing as a Christian who does not experience spiritual growth.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, never stop reminding me that I need to undergo character transformation daily by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.